With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor

13.St. Louis, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama. The
back end of the Rams’ secondary is a mess. Clinton-Dix will help that right
away.

14.Chicago, Timmy Jernigan, DR, Florida State. The
Bears would have preferred Donald, but grab another difference maker at
defensive tackle.

15.Pittsburgh, Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech. It’s
a tough call over some guys still on the board, but Fuller fits. Forget what
the talking heads are saying. Fuller will end up higher in this draft than some
of the other more-hyped corners. He’s a feisty zone corner who will tackle all
day long.

32 comments:

Sorry Dale, but there is about 0% chance that Mack falls that far. Like the draft otherwise.

The Browns getting Watkins worries me and I keep seeing it in mock drafts. I see the Rams trading out, but if they don't they can't pass on him.

Lets say the Browns do get him, the Steelers need to draft a corner. I was going to say they need to make a move up on Gilbert or Dennard, but here you have Dennard being available (but them taking Fuller). Either way looks like they have a good choice at corner and it would be a big help in covering Watkins/Gordon/Green/Smith.

If I could make a bet paying 3:1 that the Steelers draft Dennard at 15, I'd put money on it.

I would also be disappointed if they grabbed fuller at 1.15. zone cover guys who can tackle shouldn't go that high in the draft. he's not a ball hawk either.

additionally, if (based on your mock draft) the steelers could potentially trade back (say with philly who wants a CB) and still have their choice of ebron, verrett, fuller, and nix then that makes much more sense, imo.

Fuller also gave up an insanely low number of catches 11-20 yards. Like 7% low.

Gilbert gets more picks but he gets burned more. It depends on what matters to you - dependability or splash plays.

marc,

Never assume because the Oakland Raiders have said or done something that logic will be involved in their next decision. I know Al Davis is gone but I think the only thing crazier for Oakland than drafting Manziel would be thinking Schaub will be a good starter for them. Not to mention, teams saying who the starter will be means next to nothing.

Does seven picks make that much of a difference for whether Fuller is worth it? Sure, if the Eagles want to give up a 3rd or something and you still get your guy then it's a perfect opportunity but let's say nobody calls, do you still draft the guy you want?

And just for myself, Fuller at 1.15 seems like a much better value than Nix at 1.22. A zone cover corner who can tackle is much more important in the league these days than a NT with bad knees.

the reason I don't see Oakland making a QB pick is not just because schaub is there, but also because of the money they will have tied up in him. no way they will pay 2 QB's starter money.

I'm not a big time nix fan, just pointing out he would be there.

also, my biggest point being the steelers have been able to find quality DB's in the 3rd-5th rounds in the past. why spend 1.15 on the same type of player you can get later who just doesn't have the hype/attention? imo, if they can get a guy who they feel is a "difference maker" at 1.15, then by all means take him (whoever that may be). but, if it's someone like fuller, then I'd rather they find a way to trade down and get more picks without sacrificing in quality of player.

obviously, I defer to their judgment, but based on dale's mock, I see no difference in picking at 22 compared to 15 for the steelers.

Dale, if LT Taylor Lewan drops, are you certain that the Steelers won't bite? Remember, if you can get a legit starting LT on a rookie contract for the next 5 years, then you are helping out your salary cap tremendously. I'm also not sold on Beachum, Adams or Gilbert being the long-term answer at LT. I do like Fuller over Dennard. Some people keep saying that Dennard ran a 4.37 at his pro day. It must be his agent because he didn't run the 40 at his pro day. He ran a 4.51 at the combine while Fuller ran a 4.40. Just think Fuller is a better fit, though I'd still pull the trigger on Gilbert if he is still available. If you can apprentice at a position of need and still be a game-breaker as a returner during your rookie year, the Steelers can't pass that up. That is why I was so high on WR Cordarrelle Patterson last year and hoped the Steelers would have selected him over Jarvis Jones.

I don't like Nix either but not because I don't value the NT position. Simply because I don't think he is the talent that Casey Hampton or Joel Steed were. Stopping the run puts teams in predictable down and distance situations which makes defending the pass easier.

They wouldn't be paying two QBs starter money. They would be paying Schaub and have Manziel (or anyone else) on a rookie contract for five years. I would be very surprised if the Raiders don't draft a QB at some point in the draft. Doesn't have to be Manziel and it doesn't have to be in the 1st but I think they are targeting the position.

The thing about Fuller is he has been getting the hype and attention. I believe he has met with at least half of the teams in the league. I agree that he isn't the type of player you want in the top half of the draft (not exciting) but for all of the talk about "fit" there aren't any players at that position who are a better fit for the Steelers.

As stated, Manziel would be under his rookie deal for five years. Much cheaper. Also Schaub is 31 and coming off a season in which he was benched for Case Keenum. He's hardly a long-term answer.

As for Fuller over some other players available, it's just another way I see things could happen.

And if you like a player enough to pick him at 22, what is the difference if you take him at 15?

It only takes one team to muck up your trade down by also falling in love with the player.

I think trades up and down will be somewhat difficult this year because of the depth of the draft. Unless moving to get a QB, I think teams will stay where they're at.

As for Lewan, no thanks. Do you think the Steelers will overlook the guy allegedly calling a rape victim and threatening her? I think he's a bad guy. And I'm not sold that he's anything more than a RT.

I think it is safe to say manziel gets similar deal as RG3 if he goes to the raiders.

schaub reworked his deal with raiders at 2 yr. for $13.5m, with $8m guaranteed. that's $4m guaranteed per year.

of the top 50 nfl QB contracts (in terms of total value), 19 have $4m or more in guaranteed money per year. based on that, I would say the raiders would be paying starter's money to 2 QB's if they drafted manziel.

The total guaranteed money over the life of the contract averaged out per year isn't the issue. The cap hit is what matters. This year's salary isn't amortized like a signing bonus.

Last season, you have to get all the way down to Josh McCown (23rd) before you find a QB with a cap hit under $5 million.

EJ Manuel (taken much later than fifth overall but still the first QB taken) had a cap hit just north of $2 million. If the Raiders take someone fifth overall the cap hit will be higher than $2 million but not by a ton.

None of this means the Raiders will take him (or any QB in the 1st) but they won't be scared off by the money they're committing to the position.

Dale, can't vouch for Lewan's character. All I know is that Charlie Casserly said he's a better LT than L. Joeckel and Eric Fischer that went no. 1 and no. 2 in last year's draft. I know everyone is screaming CB for the Steelers at no. 15, but C.J. Mosley just looks like a 10-year starter at the ILB position next to Timmons. I also like idea of having O. Beckham as this team's punt and kickoff returner while he learns the WR position in this Steelers offense. Lastly, I do agree with your pick of Fuller. Think he fits what LeBeau loves to do in this D better than Dennard.

Casserly is best known for drafting Mario Williams and as an analyst drawing the wrath of Belichick. He's also known for saying 'if you listen to the fans you end up sitting with them.' I dunno if that's an original or not. But it's funny because one week after ignoring the fans (and ownership)by drafting Williams, he was fired. And vindicated by history. Maybe that quote should be altered to 'if you don't listen to ownership, no matter how stupid ownership is, you end up sitting with the fans.'

Also, Casserly has made a couple of comments about the Patriots, about injury reports iirc. And Belichick has gone out of his way to scumbag him ever since, basically calling him a know-nothing liar..... only history has vindicated him there too and it was Belichick who was proven the liar. It's one thing to lie, but to go out of your way to personally/professionally attack someone while you're lying thru your teeth is quite another. Casserly has taken the high ground, so I have some respect for a guy who will stick to his guns while keeping it professional. He also won't say a bad thing about Adams either, or being fired, or a hint of 'I told you so.' So I'll stick up for him on this, and say his opinion is worth consideration even if ultimately I don't agree with it.